The Photogram Project

Introduction: Man Ray, Laszlow Moholy Nagy and Tim Fuss are all known for their work in the exploration of the photogram as a recognized art form. Photograms are eerie, mysterious, beautiful, nostalgic and quiet. You are being asked to partake in the tradition of the photogram to record your chosen objects in a way that few are ever exposed to. I am excited to see how your objects transform into flat outlines and translucent structures for your viewers.

Materials: Your chosen objects to photogram. These can be personal, natural, ordinary or repetitive, it’s up to you! Items that work well include: -plants -flowers -fabric -lace -glass objects -plastic objects -dead insects -thin papers -opaque objects with interesting shapes -hair -string *You will make at least 6 photograms and then choosing your best 3 8x10’s to turn in.

Requirements: You will be required to turn in a total of 4 photograms. The breakdown is as follows: A. 2 photograms with any objects of your choosing (8x10 sheet of photosensitive paper) B. 1 photogram where you are trying to abstract the objects(8x10 sheet of photosensitive paper) C. 1 positive/negative tetraptych (4-5x7 sheets of photosensitive paper)

A. Example A. Example B. Example C. Example

Elements of Rubric:

Content: Content refers to the meaning behind your photogram. Did you take the time for your objects to have meaning or tell a story? Do they go together in some way? Even if they are random objects, do they mesh somehow in the way they were laid out? Are the objects completely opposite and are contrasting in some way? Craft: Craft is how well you are executing your photo from the technical side. This grade will be looking to see how much care you put into the process of making your photogram. Did you take the effort to clean off the glass on your contact plate? Is there dust that has created unintentional white spots on your photogram? Did you not use the correct settings and time from your test strip? Are your corners bent on your paper because you did not store it properly? Is your name of the back of your photos?

Composition: Composition is considering how you laid out your page. Did you think about the elements of art and principles of design as you made your photogram? Did you just take one object and plop it on the middle of your page? Does the viewer’s eye easily move from one part to the other? Are you reaching a balance of black to white paper? Creativity: Creativity is focused upon seeing how your photograms are original, playful, unique and visually thoughtful in the way they are put together. What makes your photogram wow the viewer? How is your photogram going beyond the expectation of what we have seen before? Is there thought in your layout that looks purposeful? Inspirational Examples:

Abstract: Abstract art uses a visual language of form, color and line to create a composition which may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world.